Ultimate SUV Provides Security

Published 9:00 pm, Tuesday, August 6, 2002

BUTLER, Pa. _ The sport utility vehicle that rolls out of the Ibis Tek shop looks just like those driven by millions of soccer moms.

But with a flip of the switch, out of the sunroof pops weaponry ranging from a .50-caliber M2 machine gun to an MK-19, 40 mm grenade launcher.

For now, you don't need to worry about a whole new level of road rage _ the western Pennsylvania manufacturer said it isn't selling in the United States. But it does ship its one-of-a-kind SUVs elsewhere around the globe, especially to places where "have a safe trip" is more than just a nice thing to say.

Ibis Tek President Tom Buckner opened the company three years ago with his brother, John, and Tom Letter. They provide security products ranging from bulletproof vests to communications systems, as well as security consulting, almost exclusively in the Middle East.

The Ibis Tek Viper, Cobra and Python defense systems, which are outfitted for factory-issue trucks such as the Chevrolet Suburban, Lincoln Navigator and larger Ford pickups, are marketed out of Geneva, Switzerland.

While the company's client list is confidential, Buckner will say that about a dozen of his vehicles are being used in four Middle Eastern countries. The Royal Guard of Saudi Arabia possesses three.

An Ibis ride with all the trimmings _ including options like armor plating that will stop a 7.62 mm armor-piercing bullet _ will set you back about $500,000.

And that's without the actual firepower: the company outfits the cars with defensive systems including the hidden, laser-guided gun platforms, but the clients themselves must buy their own guns, which are mounted only upon delivery.

Gas mileage is another matter. Ibis Tek vehicles can weigh as much as 11,000 pounds and miles to the gallon can dip into the single digits.

"You don't buy them for the gas mileage," Buckner said.

Sales of the vehicles are strictly regulated by the U.S. Department of State.

"If the item is not deemed to be something that could prove destabilizing to the region, and there is no outstanding foreign policy reason, it would be eligible for approval," said Jay Greer, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Political and Military Affairs. "We consider these things from a national security perspective."

John Weaver, vice president of engineering, said no vehicles have been sold domestically. While they would be legal in the United States, at least before being armed, an export permit would be required for the French company, Thales AFV, which designs the company's weapons stations in Britain.

Then, to actually attach a weapon, an owner would have to have a license from the federal government.

"There are a number of measures in place that would prevent a rogue outfit from getting their hands on this," Buckner said.

He said the cars are designed for protection, not for attack.

"Everything we do is defensive in nature," he said. "We make nothing offensive in nature."

The weapons platform is fully automated with laser sighting that can be operated from the passenger seat _ or the back seat if preferred _ using a joystick and a computer screen.

A standard configuration can hold a .50-caliber machine gun in several barrel lengths and a 40 mm grenade launcher, Buckner said.

"But we can configure our Cobra and Viper platforms to mount your existing weapons," he added.

When activated, the weapons system rises through a sunroof measuring about 44 inches by 75 inches and is ready to fire in less than 10 seconds.

"You have to decide on a sensor package," Buckner said. "These have day-night cameras and laser-range finders or thermal cam. If you use something like a .50-caliber weapon, you need a ballistic solution like the laser to designate a range."

Another option includes protection against gas or biological attack, good for three to four hours, Buckner said.

Weapons experts said that, while several companies provide armor for cars or affix guns to them, they were unaware of another firm modifying cars to conceal heavy weaponry.

Ibis Tek's founders had been brokers for weapons systems that could be attached in what Buckner called "Rat Patrol" fashion _ in a fixed position atop the vehicle.

"Our clients said again and again it would be great if the weapons stations were inside the vehicle, hidden underneath," he said. "It made sense to us, especially in an urban setting or even rural."

Governments from the Middle East and Europe showed strong interest in Ibis Tek vehicles during the Eurosatory military trade show in Paris this summer, Weaver said.

It takes about six months to have a vehicle road ready, Buckner said.

Ibis Tek offers as part of its sales package a seven, 14, or 30-day training course.

Still, Buckner said, the "average deer hunter in Pennsylvania" could operate the system if he or she had a minimal amount of computer experience.